According to Reuters, Pakistani politician Shehbaz Sharif is poised to become prime minister once again, following a vote by the newly constituted parliament. This comes three weeks after a contentious national election that resulted in the formation of a coalition government.
The election, which took place on Feb. 8, was marked by a mobile internet shutdown on the day of voting, as well as arrests and violence leading up to the event. The delayed results further fueled allegations of electoral fraud.
Sharif is set to resume the role he previously held until August, when parliament was dissolved in preparation for the elections and a temporary government assumed control.
The parliamentary vote, occurring amidst heightened security measures, has been met with protests from candidates supported by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned. These candidates have contested the election outcome and demanded Khan’s release.
At the age of 72, Shehbaz Sharif is the younger sibling of Nawaz Sharif, a three-time Prime Minister who led the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party’s campaign. Despite candidates backed by Khan securing the most seats, the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party formed a coalition government, allowing Shehbaz Sharif to assume the role of prime minister while his brother stepped aside.
During his previous tenure, Sharif’s administration successfully negotiated a critical deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the implementation of the agreement, set to expire in April, has posed challenges, resulting in price hikes and increased financial strain on lower and middle-income families.
The incoming government will need to promptly engage in discussions with the IMF regarding a new agreement to stabilize the country’s economy, all while addressing mounting dissatisfaction stemming from worsening poverty.
(Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield in Islamabad; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
